Wessler: Tick-tock, BU's clock almost out

ST. LOUIS — Time to go hunting in the Scottrade Center toilets. We’re searching for the posters in there that mock “Thursday Night Geno.”

Nine years ago, when Arch Madness started a day later and the Missouri Valley Conference tournament play-in round was on Fridays, someone posted homemade signs above the urinals. The signs depicted the face of Jim Les, then Bradley’s basketball coach, and the words, “Mister Friday Night.”

That was after Les started his MVC tournament career 0-for-3, with the second and third losses coming in the play-in round.

This is Geno Ford’s third season, and after the Braves unforgiveable, 74-72 loss Thursday night to last-place Loyola, he’s 0-for-3 here, too. And they’re all play-in games.

Or play-out games, if you prefer.

Yes, it took a last-second 3-point shot from about 30 feet by freshman Milton Doyle to put Loyola over the top. But that’s not why Loyola won or why Bradley lost. That’s just one of those things that happen.

Bradley did not deserve to win this game. No way.

As a team, the Braves did not come to play. They barely showed up to watch. It was like all they wanted was to get the season over and start spring break a week early.

The Braves’ interior defense started off full of holes and soft as the toilet paper in a five-star hotel. Twice on Loyola layups and a third time on a pull-up jumper deep in the lane, Bradley players fouled but left their hammers at home, allowing the Ramblers to convert. Loyola’s early inside success loosened up the perimeter, and the Ramblers then began raining 3-pointers.

And Bradley slumped, shoulders, heads and all.

When Loyola called time out in the final minute of the first half, after grabbing a rebound of yet another stupid, off-balance shot attempt by Bradley, the Ramblers danced to their huddle, which was just a few feet away. Meanwhile, the Braves — every one of them on the court at that time — strolled to their bench, where Ford was furious.

Rightfully so.

But he should be furious with himself, too, for allowing this to happen.

Effort should not be an issue. Ever. Especially not at the end of a season, even one as lost as this one.

But it was.

To be sure, there were individual efforts worthy of praise. Notably, senior Tyshon Pickett scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds, blocked two shots and had three steals. And there were moments of frenzied, purposeful play.

“I was never prouder of our guys than in the last eight minutes,” Ford said. “We rallied and showed togetherness. Our chemistry and toughness were the best levels we showed all year.”

But eight minutes don’t cut it. A game is 40 minutes. The Braves wasted 32 minutes Thursday and lost.

Loyola, thoroughly beaten by Bradley in two regular-season meetings, played with aggression from the opening tip. Bradley’s players played with aggravation. As Loyola built its lead to double digits, the Braves’ body language screamed: Let this crappy season be over now!

Well, it is.

The question now is whether next season will be any better.

Based on the improvement the Braves showed last year over the previous two seasons, there had been hope for this season. It appeared as though the recruiting efforts to build a bigger, stronger, more athletic team might pay off. But it quickly became evident the talent was not sufficient to compete for the top of the MVC — even for the top spots behind unbeaten Wichita State.

Leadership among the players was an issue. There wasn’t any.

And while some parts of the Braves’ game improved, it was never going to be enough to be considered good.

Ford needs to turn his attention to raising the talent level. Significantly. He needs to make sure that leadership is groomed, constantly, so that one senior class passes it on to another. When it doesn’t materialize, he needs to take bolder steps to hold players accountable.

He was given a five-year contract to make Bradley competitive for Valley championships again. After three years, he’s not close.

The clock is ticking.

KIRK WESSLER is Journal Star executive sports editor/columnist. He can be reached at kwessler@pjstar.com, or 686-3216. Read his Captain’s Blog at blogs.pjstar.com/wessler/. Follow him on Twitter @KirkWessler.